Lerfel Sarah (Colette)
One of the ﬁrst-ever concept stores, Colette has remained
as one of the coolest – thanks to Sarah Lerfel, the creative
director and co-founder. Opening in 1997, the expansive,
streamlined space is credited for bringing hipsters back
to ultra-posh central Paris and continues to draw in savvy
tourists from around the world. Its name is not a salute to

Retailer
the twentieth-century novelist, but a reference to Lerfel’s
mother and co-founder Colette Rousseaux. Reﬂecting Lerfel’s
ever-changing tastes in fashion, food, art and design, shoppers
on the ground ﬂoor peruse sneakers, artsy magazines and
a curated selection of music. While upstairs on the ﬁrst
level there is a pricey ready-to-wear section. Lerfel’s social

connections facilitate Colette’s renowned collaborative
projects, which include the issue of exclusive Hermès foulards
and a pop-up Chanel shop where the artist Faﬁ customized
purchasers’ quilted bags with special drawings.